Colin “Collie” Sparling
1942-2019
Colin “Collie” Joseph
Sparling
Sydney
Colin “Collie” Sparling, 76, of Sydney, passed away
peacefully on Monday, July 22, 2019 at the Cape Breton Regional
Hospital, surrounded by his loving
family.
Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late George and
Gertrude (Wall) Sparling, and predeceased by his sister,
Darlene.
Collie dedicated his professional career to harness
racing. His expert knowledge in this industry was far
reaching. He worked in many places in Canada and had a deep
love for the harness racing industry. He was a sports
enthusiast, but a debilitating accident at age 15 left him as a
spectator – he loved to watch all sports and was an amazing
conversationalist about all sports history. His love of
hockey led him to coaching and managing many hockey teams.
One of his greatest achievements was winning the Nova Scotia
Senior Provincial Championship in 1976 with the Glace Bay
Colts. His continued relationship with many of these players
40 years later is a tribute to his character. Later in life
he developed a passion for illustrating his historic harness racing
knowledge through stories in book forum, and added
“novelist’ to his repertoire. Collie was so
proud of his book and the horseman and the families he was able to
elevate through his writings. Before his passing he was in
the final stages of his sequel to the book to “Back at the
Track”. He loved his family immensely and was the
foundation for all to go to at times of difficulty and was incredibly
giving and resourceful whenever anyone needed a helping
hand. Collie was most proud of his children, grandchildren
and great grandchildren.
Collie is survived by son, Gary (Colleen O’Brien),
Glace Bay; daughters, Colleen (David) Shevsky, Charlotte, NC, Heather
(William Jennex) Sparling, Fort Saskatchewan, AB; sisters, Joan (Ron)
Donovan, Ont., Korena (Ken) Hanson, Albert Bridge, Dolores Fifield,
Sydney, Carol Ann Sparling, Sydney; brothers, George, (Claire),
Sydney, Roland (Joan), Ont., John (Mary), Ont., Greg (Shirley),
Sydney; grandchildren, Ryan, Evan (Lori), Hannah, Thomas, Alexandra,
Zachary, Colin (Shannon), Blaknee, Jenna; great-grandchildren, Sawyer,
Vander, Nash, Landon, Stryder, Breton, Oaklynn, Thomas, and many
loving nieces, nephews, and cousins in which he remained very active
in their lives.
Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 24, 2019 from 7-9
p.m., Thursday, July 25, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Sydney Memorial
Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, July 26, in Holy Redeemer
Church at 10 a.m. with Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment in
Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Arthritis Society of Canada
(arthritis.ca), 393 University Avenue, Suite 1700, Toronto,
Ontario, M5G 1E6
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Colin Collie Sparling 19422019..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia